Place de l'Horloge
On Gingerguide's self-guided Avignon audio tour, Place de l'Horloge is a stop worth about ~30 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type square
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Avignon Avignon guide
About Place de l'Horloge
Avignon's lively central square, ringed by cafe terraces, a carousel, the neoclassical town hall and opera, and crowned by a medieval clock tower with striking jacquemart figures.
Place de l'Horloge is Avignon's main square and the everyday heart of the walled city, lined with cafe and restaurant terraces and animated by a carousel. Local tradition places it on the site of the ancient Roman forum, though the square as seen today largely took shape in the 19th century. Its name, in use since 1471, refers to the clock mounted on the belfry that rises behind the town hall.
That belfry, commissioned by Cardinal Audouin Aubert and completed in 1363, is the square's oldest structure; its clock is struck by jacquemart automatons that have marked the hours since the 15th century. The neoclassical Hotel de Ville was inaugurated in 1851, and the adjoining Opera d'Avignon dates from 1847, rebuilt after a fire and adorned with statues of Moliere and Corneille. The square sits within the UNESCO-listed historic centre and serves as a principal venue of the Festival d'Avignon.
Did you know? The square has been called the Place de l'Horloge, or Clock Square, since 1471, taking its name from the clock the town set atop the belfry rising behind today's town hall.
How much time do you need at Place de l'Horloge?
Around ~30 min works well for Place de l'Horloge — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Place de l'Horloge?
Yes — Place de l'Horloge made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Avignon. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Avignon
Day 1 of the Avignon in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Place de l'Horloge
Preview the Avignon tour free in the Gingerguide app.